New 2-Packs at Target, Toys "R" Us

As reported previously, there were expected to be four new 2-packs sold at Toys "R" Us and Target stores. Well, now we can say that they're definitely showing up to both. Toys "R" Us typically charges $3.99 per set, while Target is asking $2.99. As these are shipping in assortments, if your store is drowning in old product, it might be a while before you see them. It appears the merfolk are shipping with the Romans and the Knights are shipping with the pirates.

These sets are:
5818 Knights (Sir Polka Dot & Sentry specials)
5819 Pirates (Pirate with Skull [sans skull] and purple pirate)
5823 Mermaids (Mermaid & Sea King specials)
5824 Roman Gladiators (from the Arena)

So if you live in the USA, it might be worth your while to watch for these at retail before paying on eBay. If you live outside the USA, it's probably a good time to call in a favor with your American trading buddies. Happy hunting!

New USA Playmobil 2-Packs for 2008?

Good news! Apparently the (mostly) exclusive to Target and Toys "R" Us Playmobil figure two-packs did well enough to warrant additional items to be released in the assortments. So far, Playmobil has released a Policeman & Criminal set, a Roman Gladiator set, a Pirates set, and a Knights set. Each one costs about $2.99 for two figures with accessories and you can find these first four at Targets everywhere with little problem.

The news is that two more have started to pop up on eBay. I personally have yet to find these (not for any lack of searching), but here's the scoop: at least two sets are on the way. Currently, these ship in two assortments (the Gladiators & Police are in one case, the Knights & Pirates are in the other) so this looks like it could be a third assortment. Set 5824 contains two more gladiators, from the look of things these are repackaged figures from the 4270 Roman Arena. Set 5823 repackages two older, hard-to-find specials: 4545 Sea King (or Neptune), and 4557 Mermaid. It seems that for this release, the Mermaid's animal sidekicks were dropped.

Please click either image to see the completed auctions from Roger75093.

Of course, we'll post more about these as we find them in the wilds of retail. Neither is confirmed to be an exclusive, although it seems there's a very good chance they won't show up too many places other than Toys "R" Us and/or Target in the USA. As far as I know, neither of these have been announced in any official capacity and few if any sightings have been confirmed outside these appearing on eBay.